UPDATE: #EndSARS: What Fayemi Said About 24-Hour Curfew Imposes On Ekiti

Emmanuel AmudaOctober 22, 2020

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Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said a 24-hour curfew in every part of the state due to the ongoing #EndSARS protests, starting from 10.00 pm, Tuesday, October, 20, 2020 has been extended till further notice.

In a statement released on Thursday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, saying, the State government has observed with growing concern how the #ENDSARS protest, which started as a peaceful protest against police brutality by youths in Ekiti State, has been hijacked by some hoodlums.

“The 24-hour (round-the-clock) curfew which was imposed on all parts of Ekiti State on October 20, 2020, continues and is active till further notice.

“Only essential workers and service providers with valid means of identifications are allowed to move around during the period of the curfew.

“Any person found on the street that does not belong to this category, would be promptly arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of Ekiti State.

“Government seeks the understanding of the good people of Ekiti State as deliberate steps are being taken to ensure that peace and normalcy returns to the state”.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of Ado Ekiti Branch has raised the alarm over the Nigeria Army and other security operatives take over the streets of Ekiti State, gaining access into houses in some part of Ado-Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti, beating up peoples in order to enforce the 24-hour curfew by the state government.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Association, Adeyemi Adewumi.

The statement reads “The attention of the Nigerian Bar Association Ado-Ekiti Branch has been drawn to a detachment of Nigerian Army and other security operatives gaining unlawful access into homes in some part of Ado-Ekiti, beating up citizens and thereby violating their fundamental rights as guaranteed by law in the wake of the 24 hours curfew imposed by the Ekiti State Government yesterday 20th October, 2020.

“While the Leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association encourages citizens to respect the 24 hours curfew imposed by the Ekiti State Government in order to forestall a state of anarchy and lawlessness, the NBA Ado-Ekiti Branch condemns in strong terms the invasion of citizens residences, beating of citizens by a detachment of the Nigerian Army and other security agents in order to enforce the 24 hours curfew.

“The NBA Ado-Ekiti Branch remains committed and resolute in ensuring that the principles of rule of law and respect for the enforcement of fundamental rights, human and people’s right especially in Ekiti State is protected and respected.

“As a major stakeholder on people’s rights and civil engagement, the NBA Ado-Ekiti calls on Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Dr. John Kayode Fayemi to order the immediate withdrawal of the operatives of the Nigerian Army from invading citizens residences, harassing and brutalizing innocent citizens of Ekiti State while at the same time decisively deal with armed thugs and touts that have been parading across towns and streets of Ekiti State unleashing mayhem both on innocent citizens and the #EndSARS Protesters.

“The NBA Ado-Ekiti Branch equally call on Mr Governor to give the state of state address, pertaining to ensuing developments of insecurity, protests, harassment, loss of lives and properties in the last few days.

“This we believe, will address emerging issues and assures Ekiti citizens of the Governor’s commitment to his primary responsibility which is the welfare and security of the People of Ekiti State”.